Iran ‘has tripled’ uranium-enriching centrifuges at Natanz plant

Iran has tripled the number of advanced uranium enrichment centrifuges at its Natanz underground plant, to more than 600 in the past three months. The equipment could be used in a nuclear weapons program, diplomats said on Wednesday.

They added that the machines – which total more than 600 - are
not yet producing enriched uranium and some may only be partially
installed.

Two of the diplomats told AP that International Atomic Energy
Agency (IAEA) experts visiting the site were also uncertain about
their operating ability, because they were not permitted to get a
close enough look.

Western countries skeptical of Iran’s nuclear intentions have
already raised concern that the machines would enable Tehran to
speed up atomic activity. The US and its allies have accused Iran
of using its nuclear program to develop nuclear bombs.
“It is clear Iran can build them. The question is how many and how
good are they,” a Western envoy told Reuters.

Despite claims from the US and its allies, the Islamic Republic
insists it has no interest in nuclear weapons, and says it’s
enriching uranium for purely peaceful purposes, such as nuclear
power. Tehran also maintains it has a right to do so under
international law.

, refusing to bow down to Western pressure to curb its uranium
enrichment.

Although Tehran is still far off its target number, a diplomatic
source estimated that 500-600 so-called IR-2m centrifuges and empty
centrifuge casings had now been put into place at the Natanz
facility.

The number of centrifuges that Iran can make depends on whether
it has all the necessary parts and materials, according to nuclear
expert Mark Hibbs of the Carnegie Endowment think-tank.

“It is possible they have accumulated an inventory of these
things,” he told Reuters.

Meanwhile, tensions continue to boil between the US and Iran, as
Washington continues to threaten Iran with sanctions.

“The United States and the international community remain committed
to maintaining pressure on the Iranian regime until it fully
addresses concerns about its nuclear program,” US Secretary of
State John Kerry said in a statement last month.

“The message to the Iranian regime from the international
community is clear: take concrete actions to satisfy the concerns
of the international community, or face increasing isolation and
pressure,” he said.

Israel has been just as aggressive with its threats, refusing to
rule out the possibility of a military strike against Iran.